Stories of Hope Newsletter

A New Passion for Life

Dakota had a great childhood. But when he became a teenage father, he was forced to grow up much faster than other people his age. He tried to do the right thing—he found jobs that allowed him to support his young family. But life wasn’t easy, and when his kids’ mom eventually left him, he was lost.

“I just kind of wandered . . . not knowing what to do or how to do it,” he says. He turned to alcohol and drugs to ease his loneliness, but it only worsened his despair. At times he was homeless, living in a shelter he built in the woods. Often he considered taking his own life.

After surviving winter in the elements, Dakota believed there must be a reason he was still alive. “I’ve been throwing my life away,” he thought. “Something’s got to change.”

Now a resident in our life recovery program, Dakota has a newfound hope for his future. Our practical classes, on topics such as health and wellness, money management and resume writing, combined with our work readiness training, are preparing him for a stable adult life. He’s an active member of a local church and is rebuilding his relationship with his children through phone calls and visits. “I make a conscious effort to be a part of their lives.”

And Dakota feels especially blessed to be among “good Christian people” who model the kind of person he wants to be. He believes their example combined with his growing relationship with God has given his life new meaning and direction.